Young chicken making a strange cough-like sound while shaking it's head

[Laura West]

I introduced my young chicks (around 9) to my existing hen population from the run inside the hen's yard. There was no problems among the chickens. I observed them for almost an hour this morning & noticed some of my young chicks were pecking at the white feathers of my older hens that were on the ground while some was pecking at the grasses outside their new enclosure. This evening, 1 of my young hens wasn't eating, staying kinda segregated from the other chickens & was making a strange chicken "cough-like" sound while shaking it's head vigorously. What could be wrong with my young hen & is there anything I can do to help it? Thanks in advance.
Laura

 

[4 ever Orpington]

I introduced my young chicks (around 9) to my existing hen population from the run inside the hen's yard. There was no problems among the chickens. I observed them for almost an hour this morning & noticed some of my young chicks were pecking at the white feathers of my older hens that were on the ground while some was pecking at the grasses outside their new enclosure. This evening, 1 of my young hens wasn't eating, staying kinda segregated from the other chickens & was making a strange chicken "cough-like" sound while shaking it's head vigorously. What could be wrong with my young hen & is there anything I can do to help it? Thanks in advance.
Laura

 

[Laura West]

Thank you!

 

[micstrachan]

Welcome! She may have something (like a feather) lodged in her airway. Can you gently take a look in her beak? If they have access to feathers and grass, you definitely need to supply grit. Do they have access to grit?

 

[Laura West]

Welcome! She may have something (like a feather) lodged in her airway. Can you gently take a look in her beak? If they have access to feathers and grass, you definitely need to supply grit. Do they have access to grit?

I don't mean to be ignorant...but I am lol. What is considered grit & if they don't have access, I will definitely get them that access. Thanks so much for responding. I will try to examine her. Thank you .

 

[micstrachan]

Not ignorant at all. Happy to help, and we’re all learning!
Grit is small, hard stones with jagged edges to aid the gizzard in digestion (helps grind things up, since chickens don’t have teeth.) Granite grit is best. Unfortunately, little pebbles with smoothed edges that may be in their yard aren’t going to help much. Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[micstrachan]

Please also check her crop, which is the bulge on her upper right chest where she stores food before it is digested. It should be full before bed and empty in the morning. You may need to help her with her crop if it isn’t emptying overnight, and there are many members here with extensive experience on that to help you.

 

[Laura West]

Not ignorant at all. Happy to help, and we’re all learning!
Grit is small, hard stones with jagged edges to aid the gizzard in digestion (helps grind things up, since chickens don’t have teeth.) Granite grit is best. Unfortunately, little pebbles with smoothed edges that may be in their yard aren’t going to help much. Good luck and please keep us posted.

I am on the hunt for granite grit now like a chicken for a June bug, lol. Thanks for your time & assistance in the form of some much needed guidance & advice!

 

[Laura West]

I am on the hunt for granite grit now like a chicken for a June bug, lol. Thanks for your time & assistance in the form of some much needed guidance & advice!

Oh & I am going to check her out tonight when I can get ahold of her, lol. Thanks.

 

[micstrachan]

Please keep us posted.